This triptych illustrates Liu Bei’s (161–223) visit to Zhuge Liang (181–234), an episode from the Chronicle of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguozhi), a Chinese narrative about the historical events that followed the dissolution of the Chinese empire in 220. Legend has it that Liu, on horseback on the left, called upon the scholar Zhuge Liang three times before he found him at home. Zhuge Liang, impressed by Liu’s character, agreed to become his adviser. At the center are the generals Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, who served Liu Bei.

Liu Xuande called upon Zhu Geliang, a great scholar and political adviser, three times before he found him at home. In this scene, Yoshitoshi has illustrated the third and final visit, in which Zhu agrees to become an adviser to Liu in his bid to control China.

Other publications

. “A Private Collection of Japanese Prints and Paintings”. New York: Christie’s, 2002.